Dr John Briffa: Rise to the occasion

Like a lot of people who are plugged into the information superhighway, I get a sizeable quota of unsolicited emails enticing me to part with my hard-earned cash. In among the mortgage and loan offers, I have been receiving a growing number of emails plying a trade in Viagra and penis-enlargement programmes. So great has the deluge been of late that I was becoming concerned that the senders of this type of spam had been tipped off about my sexual failings by a disgruntled ex-girlfriend (or two). However, recently my sister mentioned how amused she was to get emails offering to improve the size of her manhood. My girlfriend gets them, too. I have to say, my fragile male ego took comfort from the knowledge that even women are targeted by the sellers of penile reform.

Whatever one's opinion is of those who prey on our neuroses, the fact that they exist suggests many of us men are keen to boost our position in the sexual stakes. The success of Viagra, along with its seeming transformation from anti-impotence pill to recreational drug, bears testament to this, too. Yet Viagra is not the last word in sexual stimulants. Evidence suggests that natural remedies can provide a helping hand to men who find their libido or erectile ability is somewhat deflated.

One herb that may help is ginkgo biloba, which is often recommended to stimulate the circulation. It is believed to increase blood flow to the penis, which has a positive bearing on the ability to attain and maintain an erection. One study showed that after six months of treatment, 50 per cent of men with impotence were restored to working order. The recommended dose is 40-80mg of ginkgo biloba extract, three times a day. Bear in mind that it can take several months before the full effects are seen.

Another herb that seems to boost potency in men is Korean ginseng. This herb is renowned for its tonic actions in the body, though some practitioners recommend it for enlivening sexual energy, too. In one study, Korean ginseng taken for eight weeks was found to improve erectile ability in 60 per cent of cases and seemed to increase the likelihood of successful penetration and the maintenance of an erection compared to placebo. Those wanting to give Korean ginseng a go should take 900mg, two or three times a day, for three months.

Another natural agent that I quite like to recommend for low libido is tribulus terrestris. This herb contains protodioscin, which is believed to boost the production of libido-enhancing hormones called androgens. Experiments have shown this herb may improve libido and the strength of erections in animals, and my experience in practice is that this often applies to males of the human species, too. Try 750-1,500mg a day, for two or three months. Despite the popularity of Viagra, medicinal herbs remain my firm favourites for men seeking a sexual pick-me-up.